Sherbrooke, Wednesday November 12, 2025 – While visiting Sherbrooke, the Honourable Joël Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement, met with about forty local stakeholders at the invitation of Marianne Dandurand, Member of Parliament for Compton–Stanstead, to discuss business opportunities with the Government of Canada.
The Minister spoke about the “Buy Canadian” policy, announced in the 2025 federal budget. This new policy aims to offer Canadian businesses concrete opportunities to collaborate with the federal government.
“Meeting with SMEs in the Eastern Townships, I saw the energy, talent and creativity that make this region so strong. The Buy Canadian policy and its SME-focused program, funded through Budget 2025, will help them succeed in federal procurement, create quality jobs here in the region, and strengthen our local industrial fabric, while fostering innovation and competitiveness,” said Minister Lightbound.
MP Dandurand organized this meeting to give local entrepreneurs a better understanding of the federal procurement process and help them maximize potential economic benefits for businesses across the Eastern Townships.
“As our economy transforms, we are entering a new era of innovation and collaboration. We must ensure that the Eastern Townships are at the heart of this evolution and are well equipped to benefit from its opportunities,” said MP Dandurand.
Representatives from Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) also gave a presentation on how federal tenders work and answered participants’ questions.
The “Buy Canadian” policy is built around three key pillars: promoting preferential Canadian purchasing, increasing participation in defence and major infrastructure contracts, and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The Procurement Program for Small and Medium Enterprises, supported by an investment of nearly $78 million over five years, will provide tailored and simplified support for Canadian SMEs seeking to access federal markets.
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For more information or interview requests:
Michel Belval
Director, Constituency Office
Member of Parliament for Compton-Stanstead
819-620-3375
